it's almost three months since Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho featured in LFC's first team, and in that time, the Reds have gone from strength to strength, and with the Agger/Skrtel partnership seemingly blossoming once again, it's going to be very difficult for the France defender to break back into the first XI. With only nine games remaining to books his place in France's squad, is Sakho's world cup dream dead in the water?
In an interview with the official LFC website today, Sakho - who cost the Reds £16m - reiterated that he is 'very happy' to be at Anfield, but sent a subtle message to Brendan Rodgers that he needs to play in order secure his place in France's World Cup squad. He observed:
"Things are never easy in football [and] it will be difficult to get back in the team. I am ready for when the manager needs me. There are still nine games to play and a lot to play for. I also need to win my place in the France squad for the World Cup."
With two clean sheets in a row now, it seems unlikely that Rodgers is going to drop either Agger or Skrtel to accommodate Sakho, and if that partnership continues to prosper, the french defender could conceivably spend the rest of the season on the bench, which may fatal to his World Cup chances.
Brendan Rodgers will, no doubt, be aware of this, and knowing that he holds a players' hopes and dreams in his hands will be a tough burden to bear, especially if it ultimately transpires that Sakho misses out on the World Cup due to lack of playing time.
However, as harsh as it may seem, Rodgers has to do what's best for the team, and right now, that means keeping the current (comparatively) stable defensive unit in place.
In February 2013 - prior to his Anfield move, In an interview in Ferbruary, 6'2 Sakho publicly bemoaned his lack of playing time at PSG, and made it clear that he'd have to leave to ensure his place in France's national team. He told Sky Sports:
"I cannot accept playing just a few minutes this season and next because this is a decisive moment in my career. If I have to leave to keep my place in the France national team, then I have no choice but to leave."
Clearly, securing his place in the France squad is one of the main reasons Sakho moved to LFC, but the tragic irony here is that the end result could ultimately be the same: missing out on the World Cup.
Sakho's situation notwithstanding, when it comes to LFC's ever-changing defence this season, it's amusing how all roads ultimately lead to the much-maligned Agger/Skrtel partnership. The duo will gain great confidence from two clean sheets in a row, and if LFC go on to win the title, it's only fitting that - after their years of service - Agger/Skrtel is the partnership that brings it home in the final stretch of the season.
Author: Jaimie K
In an interview with the official LFC website today, Sakho - who cost the Reds £16m - reiterated that he is 'very happy' to be at Anfield, but sent a subtle message to Brendan Rodgers that he needs to play in order secure his place in France's World Cup squad. He observed:
"Things are never easy in football [and] it will be difficult to get back in the team. I am ready for when the manager needs me. There are still nine games to play and a lot to play for. I also need to win my place in the France squad for the World Cup."
With two clean sheets in a row now, it seems unlikely that Rodgers is going to drop either Agger or Skrtel to accommodate Sakho, and if that partnership continues to prosper, the french defender could conceivably spend the rest of the season on the bench, which may fatal to his World Cup chances.
Brendan Rodgers will, no doubt, be aware of this, and knowing that he holds a players' hopes and dreams in his hands will be a tough burden to bear, especially if it ultimately transpires that Sakho misses out on the World Cup due to lack of playing time.
However, as harsh as it may seem, Rodgers has to do what's best for the team, and right now, that means keeping the current (comparatively) stable defensive unit in place.
In February 2013 - prior to his Anfield move, In an interview in Ferbruary, 6'2 Sakho publicly bemoaned his lack of playing time at PSG, and made it clear that he'd have to leave to ensure his place in France's national team. He told Sky Sports:
"I cannot accept playing just a few minutes this season and next because this is a decisive moment in my career. If I have to leave to keep my place in the France national team, then I have no choice but to leave."
Clearly, securing his place in the France squad is one of the main reasons Sakho moved to LFC, but the tragic irony here is that the end result could ultimately be the same: missing out on the World Cup.
Sakho's situation notwithstanding, when it comes to LFC's ever-changing defence this season, it's amusing how all roads ultimately lead to the much-maligned Agger/Skrtel partnership. The duo will gain great confidence from two clean sheets in a row, and if LFC go on to win the title, it's only fitting that - after their years of service - Agger/Skrtel is the partnership that brings it home in the final stretch of the season.
Author: Jaimie K
ManU Bayern.Looks like we are in for a comedy treat
ReplyDeleteConsidering France defense even if it's not in the first team i'm pretty sure Sakho will get in the 23-man squad, and knowing that koscielny is prone to making costly mistake he could even play if the gunner's player bottle it (thanks to his match against ukraine i don't think deschamps can really go without him).
ReplyDeleteExactly, his goals got France there - surely they will return the favour.
ReplyDeleteI could see him getting some game time, midweek, or if Agger or Skrtel got a niggle. Unfortunately he got injured and someone stepped up in his place. Such is life.
ReplyDeleteOf course it would be great for him to go to the world cup, the more LFC players there the better. But i doubt this consideration even enters BRs mind. He is not Sakhos manager he is Liverpools manager.
ReplyDeleteIf he does get game time between now and the end of the season it will be because, as others have suggested below, someone picks up a niggle or is fatigued going into a midweek match. If he does start though it will not be because Rodgers feels some obligation to help Sakho fulfill his dreams, it will be because he thinks its right for the team.
I feel sorry for him of course, but there are lots of players not going to WC, i don't want to see his name in the paper every week until the end of the season moaning about game time. My sympathy will soon dry up.
He's 24 not 34, his time will come around again.
Oh come on, you really think Agger can go 9 games without an injury? :-P
ReplyDeleteAssuming Sakho isn't also injured when required :-P
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if UEFA rigged that UCL draw to have the best teams in the final 4. They've placed every team against their equal opposites; e.g. favourites Bayern v last favourites United, 2nd favourites RM vs 2nd last favourites BVB, and so on and so-forth. Not that I'm complaining though! I'll be supporting Chelsea against PSG for the sake of the English coefficient, but never United.
ReplyDeleteThat last tie is the battle of the egomaniacs. Mourinho vs Ibrahimovic. It could be entertaining but will probably do my head in.
ReplyDeleteConsidering we are playing 3 games in 8 days coming up, I expect to see Sakho playing at least once.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine BR would throw the same squad out there all three games, especially given Agger's injury history. I'm not sure he could handle all that playing time in a short span.
I think his form in the qualifiers and a shortage of real quality French centre halves will be enough to get him in the squad. He'll understand as well that he's not going to come back from a lengthy injury and get straight back in the team, especially on the back of 5 straight wins and 2 clean sheets in our last 2 games
ReplyDeleteI almost pissed myself laughing when I saw the draw
ReplyDeleteI dont think Sakho will have any trouble getting into the French squad. As for the rest of the season I see no reason why we should change our defensive lineup considering they have stepped it up of late. Like it you if we do go on to win the title its definitely a nice feeling that Agger and Skrtel saw it through to the end. I do however think Sakho is the future though. IMO he is the most talented defender we have as well as the one with the most potential. He should and will, IMO, be out first choice LCB next season.
ReplyDeleteSakho is a beast. He will be the leader of our defence for many years to come!
ReplyDeletetell me about it lad. i can't wait for bayern to embarrass life out of them mancs something shock'n. like the pool did in there back yard. brilliant. ha ha ha. Y.N.W.A
ReplyDeleteBradan atlest with sanderlan give him a chance.understan sakho becouse he was coming from bsg to play for france give him a chance.make all liverpool players happy bradan .
ReplyDelete